Friday, May 12

One of the main attractions of the (former Dutch/Portugese/British) seaside hamlet of Tangasseri is the light house, built in 1902. The 144 ft. light house stands as a sentinel, warning seamen of the treacherous reefs of Tangasseri. Visitors are permitted to visit the lighthouse between 3pm and 5pm, with an entry fee of Rs5 per adult and Rs3 per child or student. Interestingly, photography is not allowed inside the lighthouse premises.

The rocky ledge runs far into the sea, and on its outer point, some miles away, the lighthouse lifts its massive masonry, A pillar of fire by night, of cloud by day. ... Steadfast, serene, immovable, the same, Year after year, through all the silent night Burns on forevermore that quenchless flame, Shines on that inextinguishable light! .... "Sail on!" it says: "sail on, ye stately ships! And with your floating bridge the ocean span; Be mine to guard this light from all eclipse. Be yours to bring man neared unto man.